The target set out in the European Commission's WEEE Directive is for the collection of 4kgs per person per head of separately collected WEEE by the end of 2006, but a new target is expected for 2008. Britain already exceeds the 2006 collection target. The directive also demands the promotion of collection, take back and recycling schemes for WEEE.
During a discussion at a WEEE Directive conference in Birmingham, Dr Kirstie McIntyre, Hewlett Packard's UK WEEE program manager, said: “There is a danger of beating our target and it costing too much. We are looking to Mark Downs and the DTI to help us put some limits on that.”
But Dr Mark Downs, head of recycling policy at the Department of Trade and Industry, ruled out any constrictions. He said: “There is no question of setting limits. We don't need a massive increase in collection to meet weight targets as the vast majority of the 4kg target is already collected.” He added that anything collected over the 4kg target will still have to be treated and recycled according to the directive.
Hewlett Packard, Electrolux, Sony and Gillette (who own Braun) are working together to tackle the implementation of the WEEE Directive across Europe (see
letsrecycle.com story ).
Clearing House
Dr McIntyre also advocated the setting up of a 'c;learing house' to act as the link between the Environment Agency, producers and collectors. She said: “The clearing house would be setup by the government and run on a not for profit basis. It would be funded by the producers on a market share basis.”
The functions of the proposed clearing house would include registration of producers, dealing with historic WEEE, ensuring producers had financial guarantees to cover recycling in case of bankruptcy and the categorisation of new products.
Subscribe for free